[Nosloc]

I picked up a 2001 Lawn tractor model 425611x99B, for $200.I put one bolt, 2 washers and the deck is hung. It took a while to get the deck level but I got it. And man does it cut nice. But, I am having scalping problems. If I am on level ground, (75% of my yard) the cut is great. Any undulation or unevenness I get scalping. The problem seems to me to be that there are only two gauge wheels on the deck. One up front on the right and one back left. The left front is where the it scalps. I checked around (Outdoor Distributors and Magneto Tech) and there is no other gauge kit for the mower. Can I add a gauge wheel to the left front (drill and bolt) or do I have some other issues going on?

 

[FergusonTO35]

What numerical setting is your deck lowered to? Mine usually cuts at #2. Yeah, these machines will scalp or leave patches if the ground is any bit uneven. My two don't have any gauge wheels on them. I've never seen any kind of gauge wheel kit for them so I think you'll have to be creative.

 

[Nosloc]

Seems to me adding a second gauge wheel would would do the trick. Just not sure. Wanted to check with the pro's. This is my first rider and it doesn't seem to me it should be scalping on evry bump. Could there be an adjustment I am missing? Don't know. I liike the mower.

 

[gunner4green]

I picked up a 2001 Lawn tractor model 425611x99B, for $200.I put one bolt, 2 washers and the deck is hung. It took a while to get the deck level but I got it. And man does it cut nice. But, I am having scalping problems. If I am on level ground, (75% of my yard) the cut is great. Any undulation or unevenness I get scalping. The problem seems to me to be that there are only two gauge wheels on the deck. One up front on the right and one back left. The left front is where the it scalps. I checked around (Outdoor Distributors and Magneto Tech) and there is no other gauge kit for the mower. Can I add a gauge wheel to the left front (drill and bolt) or do I have some other issues going on?

hello Nosloc, I had just bought a murray 46 inch deck myself. It did come with 4 gauge wheels. At first I thought they came with it, but later learned that they were added on by the previous owner. I was too, trying to get the ol girl leveled out, and me too, got some superb results as far as a smoooooth cut LOL, however when I confronted the previous owner, he stated that scalping was an issue too... so...he went and had 2 more brackets and wheels "welded" on. the brackets are the same as the originals, and they are welded "EXACTLY" at the same spec height on the deck etc etc....after doing so, the scalping thingy was solved. Like I said, I have a 46 inch deck, and if you get under it, and look around, you will see, that there's not alot to keep her from leaning side to side, unles you creep into your turns LOL... just wanted to share my experience on that lil bit of business... Good luck... Gunner PS. the brackets have the 3 little holes to choose from per your preference of deck height, to put the gauge wheels in. I still had a partial chart still stuck to my deck to go by, hope this helps

 

[Nosloc]

Thanks Gunner, I thought it may do the trick. I wanted to check on it first. My main concern was damaging the deck. But looks looks I wil move forward. I will try to find a wheel and bracket this weekend at a local shop. Weld on is probably a better option than bolt on. Thanks, I will up date when I get it done. You are right, this sure cuts level on level ground. It did take me few tries to get it there but shes holding straight. I get this scalping thing worked out, one of the best buys so far.

 

[SonnyT]

I don't have a lot of trouble scalping with my 42" deck. But I mow with the gauge lever set at 4. That makes my grass at about 2 3/4" when cut.

 

[Nosloc]

Re: Scalping Murray

I do like my grass short. I currently have it set at 4 myself, thats where the scalping begins. 5 is a little long, but thats where I will cut until I get a gauge wheel added. Maybe this weekend if I find what I am looking for.

 

[Nosloc]

I mowed at level 5 yesterday. Cut looks good, still getting some scalping and it doesnt pick all the debris as four does (small pine cones). I checked local shops yesterday for some gauge brackets. No real luck. None had what I was looking for, and they seemed to down play it. Most suggested avoiding mowing in scalping areas and either using my walk behind (Snapper Platinum) or weed eating the areas. Not the way I really want go. Ideally, weed eat and/or mow the parameter and under deck and the corners that rider can't reach and kick back and ride the rest.

I put the project on hold this weekend. Try get over to father in laws and manufacture my own bracket to match factory one in week or two.

 

[wildncrazyguy]

I guess Nosloc has gone away. Hasn't posted since 8/2009 about a week after he joined. Anyway. I have a 1999 Murray Widebody Lt, 17 HP that I got new as a gift from my parents Christmas 1999. Sort of couldn't say, gee, wish it were more green and yellow looking... I recently started giving it more attention since joining here. There's not one thing wrong with it mechanically and will last me many more years likely and hopefully. BUT... There is one thing wrong with it. The 42" deck only has the right front and left rear anti scalping wheels. I have dips and bumps (by design) in my yard and it's frustrating to the point of I usually push mow for the most part and have actually been thinking about selling it and buying me one of those green and yellow ones. The one's I'm interested in seem to have the 4 gauge wheels all the way around. But I digress, money is tight and there's nothing wrong with my good 'ole Murray as of now.

So. To the point. I've studied the deck a bit and was wondering what the Murray folks were thinking when they designed these decks. If you see a Murray deck, you will most likely find a right front and left rear config. Not always, but what were they thinking? I mean it does cut great if you have a flat yard, but why just the two? Crazy!!! I'm open to hear any logical reasons...

I like the idea of putting at least another wheel in the left front, which is my nemesis. I have an old shop that I noticed still has the Murray listed on their sign here locally. They've been in business a while and have always taken care of me. I just ordered a part for my dad's 1980 something trimmer he wanted fixed. Came in today. Got to go there and pick it up. So, while I'm there, I'll check the old man (great guy, hate to make it sound bad) and see what he thinks about adding me a wheel or 2 on my deck. I bet he even has the Murray deck wheel kits somewhere in the back. I went by there a couple of years back looking for a bagging chute piece to see if he could order it for me, since I knew Murray had gone out of business. Mine didn't come with a bagger and I needed the piece to connect my DR leaf vac. He said hold on one minute. 60 seconds later he comes out and says 15.00 and was holding a brand new one.

So, to anyone here that may have actually done this or contemplated it for some reason, any thoughts, tips, suggestions? Thanks!

 

[BushBoneYard]

If its not cutting well I'm sure you could retro fit 2 additional wheels. I have the two wheel set up, no issues at all, but my yard is fairly flat. I was just checking my deck out after reading this and I don't think 4 wheels would make a difference unless the ground was very uneven. It's hard to expalin in words, but the way the deck hangs and reacts to the tractor, the two wheels do the job. While my yard is "flat", it is poorly graded and yet the Murray gives a great cut as long as the deck is properly leveled and the tires are at correct pressure. Plus, those green lt's, [the la's] have nothing on your Murray. The x300's on the other hand.............

 

[wayne50]

I kinda inherited a 46" Murray with the purchase of my house. The deck height on the left was really off and was a pain to try to level. It had one gauge wheel on the left rear. I moved it to the left front and it really helped. Don't know why there was ever one on the left rear.

 

[docpcman]

I found a link on eBay for the RH bracket...18.00. Factory part. You may use it as a mount for the LH rear (opposite side). As far a replacement wheel for it, I have seen them at Lowes in the Garden section for around 8.00.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Murray-Lawn-Mow...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ea17f74c2